Paper stock flow system



y 11, 1965 j a. w. SARGENT 3,182,683

PAPER STOCK FLOW SYSTEM Filed Oct. 2. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I (Juan/aw INVENTOR.

feoryafi/Jaryen t A RNEYS May 11, 1965 s. w. SARGENT 3,182,683

mrsn sTocx mow s rsma Filed Oct. 2, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. eorye Mkr yerz t ,ATTOR YS" May 11, 1965 7 Filed Oct. 2, 1961 G. w. SARGENT PAPER-STOCK FLOW SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. earye 7/4254 yer: i

ATTORNE S United States Patent 3,182,683 PAPER STOCK FLQW SYSTEM George W. Sargent, Beloit, Wis., assignor to Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Win, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Oct. 2, 1961, See. No. 142,126 Claims. (Cl. 137-563) The present invention relates to a paper stock flow circuit for a paper making machine and to an improved flow selector valve for selecting a supply flow from a plurality of moving fluid suspensions such as different stock supply sources in a paper mill.

The invention is advantageously embodied in a system containing fluids with material in suspension with the fluids kept moving so that the particles do not congest or settle out. In certain fields of use a selectorvalve is provided for selecting a flow for delivery and use from one of a plurality ofsources of fluid suspensions. Such uses may be found in the food, oil and chemical industries and a particularly important use is found in a paper mill where different paper stocks are selectively delivered to a forming machine such as to the head box to be flowed onto a moving Fourdrinier wire. While it will be understood that the features of the invention are useful in many environments, for convenience of disclosure and because of the advantages" particularly aiforded in a' paper making machine, the features of the invention will be disclosed and described in connection'with apaper 'machine@ In devices heretofore used, difficulties were encountered from plugging of the connections between the supply lines and the selector valve. While the fluid suspension, such as the paper stock, is kept moving in the supply lines, dead areas of nonmovement exist between the supply line which is not usedand the selector valve or between both supply lines and the selector valve if no stock is being drawn. The concentration and settling of stock provides a plug which creates a hazard when the valve is opened for normal use. The plug will obstruct the free fiow of stock from the main supply line to the take off line, or break loose and cause trouble in the downstream system.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved system which eliminates the formations of plugs in the so;.called dead area between the selector valve and the main supply line in a circulating system for a fluid suspension.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of the interior of one ofthe supply circuits.

As shown on the drawings:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a portion of a paper stock supply system wherein a selector valve 10 is provided to select stock from continuous flow supply systems 11 and 12. The stock is provided from a digester to a collecting tank 13, in each of the systems. stock fibers in water flows through the circuits in the direction shown by the arrows past the selector valve 10 and continual circulation is maintained by pumps 14.

For operation, the selector valve 10 is set to connect a take off line 15 to either of the systems and the stock flows to a stuff box 16 and then to the head box and'of course it may first pass through a screen and be distributed to the head box through a header whereupon it flows upon a forarninous forming surface such as a Fourdrlinier wire.

The different systems 11 and 12 will be provided with different grades of stock, and the selector valve 10 will be set for either grade of stock depending upon the paper that is to be made. Provisions normally must be made to drain the unused stock from the take off line when switching to another stock, and in the form of the valve shown in FIGURES 2and 3 this function is obtained as will be described. i

In the selector valve assembly of FIGURES 2 through 5, a valve housing is provided including a pair of parallel cylindrical pipes or tubes 17 and 18 which are tangentially positioned with respect to a central housing portion 19. The pipesare shown as cast integral with the central housing portion 19 and are flanged at their ends and drilled to be connectible into the flow conduit systems 11 and 12 as shown in FIGURE If The central housing portion 19 is hollow and forms a circular slightly tapered chamber 20 therein with a circular slightly tapered valve plug 21 in the chamber. In-

' let ports 22 and 23 are formed at the sides of the chamthe valve plug 21 by a plate 27 provided with a gasket at It is a furtherobject of the invention to provide an improved selector valve which is capable of delivering ,a'fluid suspension to a take off line from one of a plurality of supply circuits without creating dead areas and settled material in the circuit not being used. I

f the edge and held to the housing by cap screws 23. A

fiowoutlet opening at 2? is provided through the center of the plate for discharge to the take. off line 15, and circumferentially arranged threaded holes 27a are provided in the plate for the connection of a fitting leading to the A further object of the invention is to eliminate the necessity of providing dual valves in a system for select ingjpaper supply stock from separate moving circulating systems. a 3

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved selector valve for a system of the abovedescribed type, which is simple and compact in construction and win'ch requires a-minimum of maintenance.

Other objects, advantages and features. will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure of the preferredembodiments thereof in the specification, claims and drawings in which: g

FIGURE 1 is a schematic showing of a portion of a stock supply system in a paper mill;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a selector valve emi bodying the principles of the presentinvention;

shaft projects through an opening in the plate 30 and isv sealed by a packing gland 33. i The inlet ports 22 and 23 are substantially 180 apart and between them are drain ports 34 and 35 formed I through the sides of the cylindrical portion 19 of the housing. These drain ports communicate with drain lines 36 'and 37 for draining stock from the take oft" line 15 when the valve plug is rotated to change its setting from one supply circuit to the other. The valve housing of FIGURES 2 and 3 is arranged to deliver to an overhead take off line. If stock is pumped from the supply circuit 12, and the selector valve 10 is changed to pump stock from the circuit 11, the valve plug 21 is rotated through so that the opening 25 communicates with either drain port 34 or Patented May 11, 1965" The suspension of paper 35. The head of stock in the take off line will then drain out through a drain line and be clear when the plug is rotated the remaining 90 to communicate with the inlet port 23. If the stock is to be saved, one drain line can be designated for drain from one supply circuit and the other drain line for drain from the other supply circuit.

It is to be particularly noted that, as shown in FIG- URES 3 and 5, the valve plug 21 has its outer peripheral wall orsurface 2 1a which blocks the inlet port not being used at its point of entry from the tubular pipe. Thus no dead spots remain to form a plug of stock, and flow will be continuousin the circuit of the pipe that is blocked. The circular wall 21a operates the same from each inlet port, or for both inlet ports when the valve plug 21 is turned to the drain position.

FIGURE 4 illustrates mechanism for setting the selector valve, and a gear 38 is keyed to the shaft 32 and driven by a worm 46 on a shaft 4dr; rotatably mounted on brackets 39 on the housing. A hand wheel 41 is secured to the shaft 40:: for turning the worm.

In summary, stock continually circulates through the conduits or circuits 11 and 12, and the selector valve is rotatable to select flow from either circuit for the take ofi line 15. As shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, when the flow passage 24 through the valve 'plug 21 communicates with one inlet, the circular outer surface 21a of the valve plug blocks the other inlet port at the surface of the wall of the pipe of the circuit not being'used so that no dead spot or recess remains. 'Stockis delivered out" through the outlet port 29 to the lines leading to the forming section of the paper machine.

. Thus it will be seen that I have provided an improved flow system embodying a flow selector valve which meets the objectives and advantages above set forth. The unit provides a compact self-cleaning valve avoiding the'disadvantages present in systems heretofore used- While in a preferred arrangement the valve as shown is delivering stock overhead, it will be appreciated that by changing the passage through the valve plug to a horizontal passage, and either omitting orlchanging the position of the drain lines, a horizontal discharge could be obtained.

The drawings and specification present a detailed dis- 7 closure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not lunited to the specific forms disclosed, but covers all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methspaced-first and second passages connected to said first and second lines, I 7 an outlet passage leading from thevalve to the take oli line with said outlet passage'and take. off line 7 leading upwardly above the valve, I first and second drain lines leading from the valve, a rotatable valve plug having'a passage communicating with the outlet passage in all operative positions and selectively communicating with one of said first and second supply lines and said first and second drain lines. sothat stock is supplied to the take ofi line from either supply line or said take off line is drained into said first or second drain lines. 2. A paper stock flow system comprising, a take off line for'leading to a head box, a first paper stock circulating supply line, a second paper stock circulating supply line,

a selector valve connected between said lines having spaced first and second passages connected to said first and second lines,

an outlet passage leading from the valve tothe take off line with said outlet passage and take off line leading upwardly above the valve,

a drain line leading from the valve, 7

a rotatable valve plug having a passage communicating with the outlet passage in all operative positions and selectively communicating with one of said first and second supply lines and said drain line,

so that stool-1 is supplied to the take off line from either supply line or said take off line is drained into said drain line.

3. A paper stock flow system comprising,

a take ofi line for leading to a head box,

a first paper stock circulating supply line,

a second paper stock circulating supply line,

a selector valve connected between said lines having spaced first and second passages connected to said first and second lines,

said stock supply lines having continuous inner walls with said first and second valve passages opening from said walls,

an outlet passage leading from the valve to the take oiT line with said outlet passage and take off line leading upwardly above the valve,

a drain. line leading from the valve,

a rotatable valve plug having a passage communicating with the outlet passage'in all operative positions and selectively communicating with one of said first and second supply lines and said drain line,

so that stock is supplied to the take off line from either supply line or said take off line is drained into said drain line, a

said valve plug having a peripheral surface positioned to form a continuation of said inner walls so that stock will be prevented from collecting in the passages when the plug closes said passages.

4. A paper stock flow system comprising,

a take off line for leading to a head box,

a first paper stock circulating supply line,

a selector valve connected between said lines having spaced first and secondpassages connected to said first and second lines,

said first and second passages being parallel to each other,

said stock supply lines having continuous inner walls with said first and said second valve passages opening from said walls,

an outlet passage leading from the valve to the take oii line with said outlet passage and take oli line leading upwardly above the valve, V

a drain line leading from the valve,

a rotatable valve plug having a passage communicating with the outlet passage in all operative positions and selectively communicating with one of said first first andsecond supply lines and said drain line,

so that stock is supplied to the. take off-line from either supply line or said take oif line is drained into said drain line, Y I

said valve plug having a peripheral surface positioned to form a continuation of said innerwalls so that stock will be prevented from collecting in the passages when the plug closes said pas- I sages. I Q i 5. A paper stock flow-system comprising,

a take off line for leading to a head box,

a first'paper stock circulating supply line,

a selector valve connected between said lines having spaced first and second passagesconnected to said first and second lines,

said stoclc supply lines having continuous inner walls with said first and second valve passages 7 opening from said walls, an outlet passage'leading from the valve to the take oil line with said outletpassage andtake off line leading upwardly above the valve,

a drain line leading from me valve,

a rotatable valve plug having a passage'communicating with the outlet passage in all operative positions and selectively communicating with one of said first and second supply lines and said drain line,

said valve plug having a peripheral surface positioned to project into said passages a slight distance to form a substantial continuation of 10 lecting in the passages when the plug closes said passages,-

said valve plug passage being smooth surfaced and turning at an angle through the plug.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES- PATENTS 2,022,48 l

Downey May 31, 1949 

1. A PAPER STOCK FLOW SYSTEM COMPRISING, A TAKE OFF LINE FOR LEADING TO A HEAD BOX, A FIRST PAPER STOCK CIRCULATING SUPPLY LINE, A SECOND PAPER STOCK CIRCULATING SUPPLY LINE, A SELECTOR VALVE CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID LINES HAVING SPACED FIRST AND SECOND PASSAGES CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND LINES, AN OUTLET PASSAGE LEADING FROM THE VALVE TO THE TAKE OFF LINE WITH SAID OUTLET PASSAGE AND TAKE OFF LINE LEADING UPWARDLY ABOVE THE VALVE, FIRST AND SECOND DRAIN LINES LEADING FROM THE VALVE, A ROTATABLE VALVE PLUG HAVING A PASSAGE COMMUNICATING WITH THE OUTLET PASSAGE IN ALL OPERATIVE POSITIONS AND SELECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND SUPPLY LINES AND SAID FIRST AND SECOND DRAIN LINES. SO THAT STOCK IS SUPPLIED TO THE TAKE OFF LINE FROM EITHER SUPPLY LINE OR SAID TAKE OFF LINE IS DRAINED INTO SAID FIRST OR SECOND DRAIN LINES. 